11+ Verbal reasoning · Topic explained
Hidden words
There's a word hiding in this sentence. Can you find it?
The big idea
The hidden word starts at the end of one word and runs into the start of the next.
Picture it
A word hiding behind two friends standing side by side: part of it peeks out from each.
Key words
- hidden word
- a word made from the end of one word and the start of the next
- gap
- the space between two words: the hidden word always crosses one
- slide
- move your finger along one letter at a time, reading four letters
Worked examples
- 1Warm-up
Find the four-letter word: Isla kept a diary all summer.
- Read across each gap: isLA KEpt
- The hidden word is LAKE.
- 211+ standard
Find the four-letter word: She added a spoonful of honey.
- Try every gap: sHE ADded
- Two letters from each word: HEAD
- 311+ standard
Find the four-letter word: Ben iced the biscuits.
- One letter from Ben, three from iced: beN ICEd
- The hidden word is NICE.
- 411+ standard
Find the four-letter word: Sam ate a big bowl of soup.
- saM ATE: one letter, then three.
- The hidden word is MATE.
The common mistake
The mistake
The hidden word can sit inside one word.
Instead
It always crosses the gap between two words.
Why: A word inside a single word (like 'ate' inside 'late') never counts in these questions.
Where it comes up in the 11+
A GL favourite: a four-letter word across two neighbouring words. Check every gap, one by one.
The video
Video coming soon
We're making a short video that explains hidden words step by step. Until then, everything it covers is on this page.
Free printable
Hidden words worksheet
Practice questions on this topic to print and try on paper, at home or on the way to school.
Download the worksheet (PDF)Free account needed: it takes a minute.
Quick quiz
Have a go first, then tap to see the answer.
1. Find the hidden four-letter word: The chair on the left is mine.
- iron
- echo
- spin
- root
Show the answerHide the answer
iron
chaIR ON
2. Find the hidden four-letter word: Let us go along the beach.
- goal
- tusk
- goat
- coal
Show the answerHide the answer
goal
GO ALong
3. Find the hidden four-letter word: We made all the sandwiches.
- deal
- seal
- area
- ball
Show the answerHide the answer
deal
maDE ALl